Fortifications

Fortifications

Walled enclosures of Cordoba in the mid-12th century (Collective agreement GMU-UCO)..

In the first years of the Islamic conquest the fortification of the city does not have an important role, instead other infrastructure is prioritized, such as the bridge itself, to the detriment of the materials of the walls. Throughout the Umayyad period the walled enclosure of the Medina, with about seven gates, would continue the layout of the imperial Roman city.

After the fitna and the different periods of subsequent instability, the fortifications take on greater importance. In the 11th century, part of the eastern suburbs was walled in, as shown by the excavations made in the southeast corner of the current Axerquia.

Almohad rammed wall preserved in the San Basilio neighbourhood of Cordoba (R. Blanco).

The technique would be very similar to those of the Umayyad epoch, maintaining the use of saddle and rope. Then, in the Almoravid period, it would expand to the North, to the current Ollerias Avenue, encompassing a total of about 100 hectares, and using several courses of masonry as a base for a soil and lime tapial (rammed earth) elevation.

Fortification of the southwestern angle of the Medina in the Almohad period (LEON, BLANCO 2012).

Later, the Almohad Empire will concentrate its actions in the south-western corner of the city, protecting especially the Alcazar. The access from the south is closed around the head of the bridge with a walled enclosure of one hectare, and a large citadel is created, in tapial from the base, which triples the previous space of the Alcazar and which protects it in its western angle. These new enclosures expand the wall to the river, over the reef, eliminating the previous esplanade in front of the Alcazar. Finally, at the end of the 12th century, a large walled enclosure will be built in height, on the hill of Los Quemados, probably to accommodate the extensive Almohad army, just as the so-called Hisn al Farach (San Juan de Aznalfarache) functioned in the capital of Seville.